Australian Open 2018 prize money revealed

How much money will players earn at the Australian Open?

The Austrian, who will start as the No 5 seed on Monday and play Argentina’s Guido Pella, won the first set in a tie-break but Nadal secured the only two breaks of the match in the second to level the match.

The roof on Margaret Court Arena was shut and the humidity forced both players to cry of a third set and play a deciding tie-break instead, which Nadal won 10-8.

The Spaniard had already cooled fears his injury would rule him out of the first Grand Slam of the year with an exhibition match against Richard Gasquet at the Kooyong Classic on Tuesday.

However, the 2017 Australian Open runner-up was beaten in straight sets and struggled with his forehand in the blustery conditions.

But he looked in better form on Wednesday at the Tie Break Tens, beating Lucas Poulle and Lleyton Hewitt before losing to Tomas Berdych in the final.

Nadal had been installed as joint second favourite alongside Novak Djokovic earlier this week, but a tricky draw for the Serb saw him drift to 6/1.

Nadal remains second in the betting at 7/2 while defending Roger Federer is favourite at 2/1.